Brazil left the World Cup so early, inspite everybody’s vote of confidence. What happened? What went wrong?

What went wrong?
As the coach and his players reflect on the tournament, they will find it difficult to put their finger on what went so wrong for the Seleção. While the media will endeavour to find scapegoats, the only obvious problem seemed to be a general malaise and lack of form on the part of Brazil’s most talented players. Ronaldinho, for example, came to Germany as a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, having just completed a magnificent season for his club side, Barcelona, but the talented playmaker’s lacklustre displays summed up the frustration of the whole squad.

Brazilian positives
Given Parreira’s adventurous system, effectively playing with four forwards and full-backs who spend more time in the opposing final third than their own, the South Americans’ defence was always going to be under the microscope. However, the back-line came through with flying colours.

Centre-back pairing Juan and Lucio were excellent throughout, and the Bayern Munich defender in particular was a rock. Goalkeeper Dida, the target of criticism in the run-up to the tournament, was a calming influence, and Ze Roberto’s unfussy style of play in the middle of the park won him a host of new admirers. So effective was the stocky midfielder that he was twice named Budweiser Man of the Match by FIFA’s Technical Study Group.

A fresh start
This tournament, it seems, will mark the end of the road for a generation of players who have served Brazil with distinction. Full-backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos will step aside to allow the emergence of an exciting new group of South American starlets. Real Madrid pair Cicinho and Robinho provided the FIFA World Cup holders with verve and energy on their rare appearances, and are likely to develop into key men in the years to come. Of course, we should not disregard Kaka and Ronaldinho, who will be around for a while yet, and will be desperate to get back to their sparkling best in that famous yellow shirt.

For coach Parreira, however, the future is more uncertain. Speculation surrounds his position, and the experienced supremo has already said that he will enter into discussions with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) once President Ricardo Teixeira returns from Germany.

The future
For all the talk of veterans the Brazilian squad on duty in Germany had a fresh-faced look to it. It is a fair bet that the majority of the players in Parreira’s 23 will be looking to make a more significant impact in four years’ time. Cicinho, Robinho, Fred, Adriano, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Dida and others will form a strong base as the Auriverde look to regroup.

And such is the strength in depth of Brazilian football, some of the potential stars of 2010 finals in South Africa may well be currently trying to make their way in the reserve teams of big clubs across the country. As they hastily search for positives from the wreckage of their dreams of a sixth FIFA World Cup title, this will provide a crumb of comfort to the football-mad nation.

As one group of players has come and gone, Brazil have always been able to find phenomenally talented replacements. The country as a whole will learn from their failed adventure on German soil. In 2010, they will be back, older, wiser and ready to take on the world.

Source: WCoffsite